IT will be an emotional moment for the Lawlor families of Cloncurry and Brisbane if their promising galloper Noogoora Burr can win the prestigious $2 million Magic Millions race on the Gold Coast this Saturday.
Cloncurry racehorse owners Peter and Lyn Lawlor are confident their brilliant two-year-old sprinter can be right in the finish of the 1200m event, despite drawing unfavourably.
Already the $37,5000 bargain buy has won $99,000 from two wins in just three starts, taking them to the edge of Australian racing's highs - a level achieved by less than 20 runners each year.
But the $1.2 million first prizemoney for the richest two-year-old event in Australia would be just one reason to celebrate.
The other is Peter's brother and Doomben-based trainer David who is currently battling his third bout of cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
The Lawlor camp seems to be revelling in every joyous moment of the racing industry.
After Noogoora Burr's second win in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m), an excited David Lawlor said: "He's in the Magic Millions and is going to win it too."
"It's the best feeling I've had in my life and it's the best chemo ever," he said.
Even drawing barrier 12 for the rich Millions event couldn't dampen the Lawlors' enthusiasm.
Peter Lawlor said yesterday said: "It could've been better. But it's not too bad."
Peter said Noogoora Burr would probably jump from barrier 10 if all of the emergencies come out, which is usually the case.
Unlike the two-year-old speedster's last outing when he battled on the pace all the way to finish a creditable fifth behind Millions favourite Driefontein, Lawlor said jockey Rick McMahon would be instructed to jump well, hopefully find the rails and sit back off the base in fifth or sixth position to the turn.
The sprint home will be a cracker, he said.
"He's going brilliantly on the (training track, and he'll be a bit tougher and fitter after that last run (two weeks ago)."
He and Lyn are already settled on the coast in readiness for Saturday's classic and yesterday went to the Millions sale.
Noogoora Burr is shaping as another of the great bargain buys of the Magic Millions.
He was purchased by Peter and Lyn from the draft of Widden Stud at last January's Gold Coast Yearling Sale for just $37,500.
Noogoora Burr is rated a 30-1 chance.
In other Millions news, a favourable barrier draw for Driefontein had young jockey Tommy Berry extremely confident of snaring back-to-back Magic Millions Classics.
Driefontein firmed at the head of betting for Saturday's $2 million feature at the Gold Coast after coming up with barrier three.
The 20-year-old Berry won the Magic Millions (1200m) on flying filly Karuta Queen last year and is just as bullish about his chances 12 months on.
"I'm going in just as confident as last year," Berry said.
"She (Driefontein) has done nothing wrong and the work she's done during the week has been unreal. I couldn't be happier going into the race.
Sizzling, who ran home strongly for second behind Driefontein last start in the BJ McLachlan Stakes, also firmed from $3.80 to $3.60 after coming up with barrier six.
The Gerald Ryan-trained Amorino is unbeaten in two starts like Driefontein, and has barrier eight.
Amorino, at $6.50, is the only other runner under double-figure odds.
Nash Rawiller rides Driefontein's stablemate No Looking Back as Waterhouse chases her fourth win in the race after Assertive Lad (2000), Excellerator (2001) and Dance Hero (2004).
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